A sailor from Florida has confessed he told his dog “this isn’t the day we’re going to die” after his boat started sinking in the Gulf of Mexico during Hurricane Helene.
Earl Barcome and his 10-year-old Golden Retriever Gunn were rescued on Thursday when his 36-foot sailboat named Selkie – which he has lived on for a year since his relationship of over 30 years ended – got into trouble in the terrifying conditions. Family member Shirley Barcome confirmed on a GoFundMe page that Earl, 64, had spent months finding the “perfect boat” before he set sail for Florida to “start a new chapter.”
She added that the boat was “the culmination of a lifelong dream, offering him solace and purpose after a difficult chapter in his life.” Earl and Gunn had been on the water for a year and had experienced “peace and healing” before encountering Helene.
Earl had been attempting to navigate away from the devastating effects of Helene by heading 100 miles south of Sanibel Island to a protected inlet, but half-way through his journey his boat’s motor failed. After the bilge pump blew the vessel began taking on water and Earl found himself standing in chest-high water in the cabin…